Melissa Villaseñor, former SNL star, is grand marshal of the Uptown Whittier Christmas Parade

When former Saturday Night Live star Melissa Villaseñor was named grand marshal for the 68th annual Uptown Whittier Christmas parade, it didn’t pass by without a — ahem — serious acceptance tweet.

On her popular feed last month, the Whittier native let the world know it was an honor – in her own way, of course: “I’m laughing cause grand marshall sounds so official and awesome and why me though i’m just a goof. all joking aside, its an honor!! proud to be from Whittier (where the girls are prettier) hehe.”

And with that, her “great news” was in the world. Villaseñor was prepping for a holiday visit. And Whittier was gearing up for its homegrown star to get the holiday spotlight.

Justin Tipton, director of operations for the Whittier Uptown Association, which sponsors the parade, said the group selected Villaseñor because she is from Whittier.

“She was the first Latina to make it on Saturday Night Live,” Tipton said. “This is a real good example of a grand marshal coming from Whittier.”

Villaseñor a stand-up comedian, actress, and impressionist, has voiced characters for “Toy Story 4,” “Wreck It Ralph 2,” Cartoon Network’s “OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes,” Fox’s “American Dad” and “Family Guy,” according to her biography on her website.

welp great news. i’m gonna be the grand marshall in the whittier christmas parade hahahaha

— Melissa Villaseñor (@melissavcomedy) November 21, 2022

She has also filmed episodes for Comedy Central’s Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, HBO’s Crashing and Barry, and Freeform’s Alone Together.

She also is on Netflix’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and cat owner Karen in Netflix’s Hubie Halloween.

Villaseñor left the SNL this year, citing the need to preserve her mental health amid the creative pressure and schedule that came with the show. She left amid a larger exodus of several favorite cast-members ahead of the new season.

But it wasn’t before she became one of those favorites after her impressions of Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among others.

Her skit earlier this year about cholas in Pico Rivera drew the ire of some residents and city officials who say it unfairly stereotyped their city.

But actually, Villaseñor wanted to use Whittier, she said in a tweet.

Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri said he’s excited about the choice.

“She’s somebody local who made it big and that’s what happened with her,” he said. “She’s worked hard and doesn’t forget her roots.”

The parade is at 10 a.m. on Dec. 10. It’s theme will be “A Christmas Carol,” symbolizing the past, present and future of Uptown, Tipton said.

“Hopefully, the future is bright,” he said.

About 14 bands, including the Whittier Union High School mega band, are expected to perform.

The parade will proceed south on Greenleaf Avenue at Hadley Street, south to Mar Vista Street, ending at the Community Center.